Snatch up an M140i deal, or go for the new A35 AMG?
Discussion
So after ruling out a nearly-new FK8, a Golf R (I know too many people with one,) and the new Golf GTI TCR (tempted, but pricey!) I'm looking at either:
a) A new M140i shadow edition, or
b) The new Merc A35 AMG.
I'm tempted by the M140i as I had an M2 (pre-competition) for a week in Germany, so it's safe to say I'm already quite in love with the engine, even it the mileage sucked, which I'm not too bothered about. But I think it looks a bit...plain?
I always liked the old A45 (except the price) so I'm really excited by the new A35 AMG. The current-gen 1 series is a bit long in the tooth, and I'm quite liking this new platform.
I'd be getting the AMG styling pack w/childish big spoiler on the back, I feel I'd need to hit up Maxton's catalogue of splitters etc., to get the M140i to keep up sporty appearances. That straight 6 though...
Thoughts?
a) A new M140i shadow edition, or
b) The new Merc A35 AMG.
I'm tempted by the M140i as I had an M2 (pre-competition) for a week in Germany, so it's safe to say I'm already quite in love with the engine, even it the mileage sucked, which I'm not too bothered about. But I think it looks a bit...plain?
I always liked the old A45 (except the price) so I'm really excited by the new A35 AMG. The current-gen 1 series is a bit long in the tooth, and I'm quite liking this new platform.
I'd be getting the AMG styling pack w/childish big spoiler on the back, I feel I'd need to hit up Maxton's catalogue of splitters etc., to get the M140i to keep up sporty appearances. That straight 6 though...
Thoughts?
Biased as I have an M135i but the 6 pot engine and RWD dynamics won me over. Mercedes are really on a roll with their interiors at the minute in my opinion but it's the outside that puts me off. They are hideous to look at. I know the 1 series is no looker but it's more subtle and less ugly in my opinion.
rucky544 said:
M140i and M2 have completely different engines. M140i has the B58 and the M2 is is the S55, based on the older N55
The B58 is a great engine, but you probably want to test it out before you decide based on it being the same as the M2
That's a good point; when comparing engines I primarily meant 3.0 6cyl's, rather than the actual engine itself. I'll be hard pressed to test the M140i out on the Autobahn like I did the M2! That said, the M2 I drove was pre-competition - so the N55, not the S55 it's been updated to (I would love to have had a go!) I hear good things about the B58 though.The B58 is a great engine, but you probably want to test it out before you decide based on it being the same as the M2
JonnyTenny said:
JamesRR said:
there will be plenty of opportunity to get an AWD 4 pot next time you change
This is a great point - downsizing is well on its way. Might be my last chance! Wondering just how loud the 6cyl in the M140i is though, pops and bangs are always a plus.Can hear the cars you're looking at here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m62NJftSS7g&t=...
For me, the S3 wins it though, sounds bloody fantastic!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m62NJftSS7g&t=...
For me, the S3 wins it though, sounds bloody fantastic!
I just took delivery of an A35, having tested it, the BMW and - because I drove past the garage - the Civic Type R. Type R easily the most fun, but a bit big and the technology felt a generation behind the Mercedes and, to a lesser degree, the BMW. (And it had a huge, daft spoiler).
Enjoyed the BMW engine, but the A35 felt the most well-resolved in most cases. Those deals are really quite good value though on the BMW; with options, the A35 gets pointlessly pricey.
Enjoyed the BMW engine, but the A35 felt the most well-resolved in most cases. Those deals are really quite good value though on the BMW; with options, the A35 gets pointlessly pricey.
Yeah, I think I'm starting to lean towards the M140i a bit to be honest. In an ideal world one of those Motech ones would be available for the same price as the shadow edition but that's dreaming! The A35 ticks a few fun/childish boxes for me in terms of noise/stupid spoilers etc., I feel the BMW might look and sound a bit too...tame. Pops and bangs, plus big spoilers are always a plus for me (my car history consists mainly of rally-based homologations.)
That and the fact that they both seem like a lot of car for the money. I'll likely be PCP'ing or leasing given the deals on both are frankly, brilliant right now so mods are out of the question and the Merc looks like the car I would mod the BMW to look and sound like! I'm perhaps trying too hard to have my cake and eat it.
That and the fact that they both seem like a lot of car for the money. I'll likely be PCP'ing or leasing given the deals on both are frankly, brilliant right now so mods are out of the question and the Merc looks like the car I would mod the BMW to look and sound like! I'm perhaps trying too hard to have my cake and eat it.
JonnyTenny said:
Yeah, I think I'm starting to lean towards the M140i a bit to be honest. In an ideal world one of those Motech ones would be available for the same price as the shadow edition but that's dreaming! The A35 ticks a few fun/childish boxes for me in terms of noise/stupid spoilers etc., I feel the BMW might look and sound a bit too...tame. Pops and bangs, plus big spoilers are always a plus for me (my car history consists mainly of rally-based homologations.)
That and the fact that they both seem like a lot of car for the money. I'll likely be PCP'ing or leasing given the deals on both are frankly, brilliant right now so mods are out of the question and the Merc looks like the car I would mod the BMW to look and sound like! I'm perhaps trying too hard to have my cake and eat it.
The Motech ones won't get discounted that much. It is just a M140i with the additional cost of the aftermarket modified parts. That and the fact that they both seem like a lot of car for the money. I'll likely be PCP'ing or leasing given the deals on both are frankly, brilliant right now so mods are out of the question and the Merc looks like the car I would mod the BMW to look and sound like! I'm perhaps trying too hard to have my cake and eat it.
Motech have been picking up a bad reputation for the quality of their workmanship and prices.
The only attraction to the Motech modifications is you can get them added into the finance deal. You are paying well over the odds for the parts.
You are also breaching your warranty and finance agreement.
The other common complaint with the M140i is the finance deals are in negative equity too long. Fire a few more grand on worthless Motech parts and you will be in an even worse position.
We had an A45 up to last Nov and now have a brand new M140i.
You can get a new well spec'd Shadow Edition M140i for around £28.5K.
An A35 with the spec you will want will be closer to £35K even after discount.
I'd say the A35 will handle better but its a 4 pot AWD, whereas the M140i is - as you know - a 3.0 litre RWD.
At the price, we couldnt resist the M140i.
I've no issues with the suspension - its certainly not as tight a driving car as the A45 was - but there are enhancements to it that can be easily made.
Also, its not difficult to get the M140i to north of 400BHP if you so desire.
You can get a new well spec'd Shadow Edition M140i for around £28.5K.
An A35 with the spec you will want will be closer to £35K even after discount.
I'd say the A35 will handle better but its a 4 pot AWD, whereas the M140i is - as you know - a 3.0 litre RWD.
At the price, we couldnt resist the M140i.
I've no issues with the suspension - its certainly not as tight a driving car as the A45 was - but there are enhancements to it that can be easily made.
Also, its not difficult to get the M140i to north of 400BHP if you so desire.
JonnyTenny said:
JamesRR said:
there will be plenty of opportunity to get an AWD 4 pot next time you change
This is a great point - downsizing is well on its way. Might be my last chance! Wondering just how loud the 6cyl in the M140i is though, pops and bangs are always a plus.Test drive both and see what you think. My wife was not at all in favour of an M140i until we test drove it. Within 5 mins she was grinning like a Chesire cat.
Very different beasts - AND you'll be easily +£5,000 better off.
Deep Thought said:
Its not loud at all, but it is very purposeful.
Yeah I'm assuming it'll be a lot quieter than the M2 I had for a week; but I think I'll need to get myself sat in one to see (hear.) I only hear good things about the engine, but I really wanna *hear* the engine, ya know?RE: The price of the AMG - I'm a bit disappointed that the one option I actually want is near £3k! Hmm.
One of the big attractions of the 1 series for me (following a brief spell in a fast Ford) is it’s missing all the shouty attention drawing bits and goes under the radar, especially when it’s on its steel winters. The only slightly embarrassing part is the fast idle every time you start it.
Noise will be subjective as I think it’s louder in the cabin than outside thanks to the noise “piping” which I think sounds good but there’s lots of aftermarket exhausts if you want to change that.
In terms of suspension I opted for the adaptive dampers which I think are a big improvement over passive but ymmv.
Chris
Noise will be subjective as I think it’s louder in the cabin than outside thanks to the noise “piping” which I think sounds good but there’s lots of aftermarket exhausts if you want to change that.
In terms of suspension I opted for the adaptive dampers which I think are a big improvement over passive but ymmv.
Chris
JonnyTenny said:
Deep Thought said:
Its not loud at all, but it is very purposeful.
Yeah I'm assuming it'll be a lot quieter than the M2 I had for a week; but I think I'll need to get myself sat in one to see (hear.) I only hear good things about the engine, but I really wanna *hear* the engine, ya know?RE: The price of the AMG - I'm a bit disappointed that the one option I actually want is near £3k! Hmm.
Is that the double screen option in the A35? Big big money for the options you'd want and they'll tell you you really must have.
Pro Media is worthwhile on the M140i IMHO, and is "only" £800 or so. It gets you a bigger central screen, better NAV and connected services such as Deezer.
Also the standard spec of the M140i is high in the first place - you get full leather, standard NAV, HK sound upgrade, darkened rear glass, rear parking sensors, etc.
If you havent done so already, check TRL on babybmw.net, but you should be able to get a decent spec 5 door auto M140i with the upgrade stuff like Pro Media etc for a fraction over £28K.
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